Motor-tricycle.



E S. BEACH.

MOTOR TRICYCLE. APPLICATIION FILED 061124, 1914.

Patented May 18, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- E. S. BEACH.

MOTOR TRICYCLE. 7 APPLICATION FILED 0CT.24, 1914.

1,139,835. Patented May 18, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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EDWARD s. BEACH, or nrn enrrnnn, connncrrcur.

moroe'rniorcnn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1915.

Application filed Qctober 24., 1914. Serial No. 868,376.

To all whom it may concern and if desired, to adapt the car particularly for use of campers. This motor tricycle may be of standard tread width or of a narrower tread width if desired, and is intended to, carry one or more persons tandem or otherwise, or conveniently to carry one person and goods, etc., for delivery. This new ,IllOllOl tricycle is also useful as a motor tractor.

In the drawings the invention is embodied in an elongated, under-slung, motor tricycle.

In the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the car, one form of body being indicated by dotted lines/ Fig. 2 is a top plan view with the rear canopy or tent-supporting, foldingposts omitted for greater clearness. Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, the body being omitted. This view particularly illustrates the construction and assemblage of a springbearing fork and the wheel-bearing fork,

. one-half of the forks being in vertical central section. Fig. 4: is a top plan View, partially in section, of the assembledforks, at line 4i-l of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the wheel-fork detached. In Fi s. 4 and 5 a portion of the wheel carried'hy the wheel-fork is indicated.

In the drawings, 1 is a spring-supporting fork formed at the lower end of each leg with a laterally-extending spring-supporting foot 2 and at the inner side of its crown with a flat bearing 3, and through the crown with ahole at t. The ends of the feet are preferably but not necessarily supported by braces 5 the lower ends of which are pinned to the feet at 6, and the upper ends of which are pinned to opposite sides of the springsupporting fork at 7. If unduly heai y loads are to come on the feet, as in heavy ear construction, it is desirable to brace the extremities of the feet against downward deformation. ine heel portions of the legs of the springsupporting fork are each recessed to form opposite Wheel-fork bearings 8, each of these bearings having its outward dependent wall 8 arced on a center of a circle struck from the lengthwise axis of the fork.

The wheel-fork supports at the lower ends of its legs 9 an axle 10 for the wheel W, each leg .9 having an outwardly and laterally projecting arcedfoot 11 to fit in a bearing 8 of the spring-supporting fork. The crown of thewheel fork is provided with a'journal extension 9 which fits loosely in the bearing hole 4, the spring-supporting fork having at the base of the extension 9 a flat bearing Q contacting with the hearing 3 of the fork 1. ournalextension 9 extends through the crown of fork 1-, and is threaded to receive a bearing nut 12. An under bearing plate 13 for each wheel-fork foot is detachabiy connected -st 145 to each foot of the springsupporting fork, and the wheel-fork feet are preferably formed with vertical holes for reception of screws a: which pass through recesses in the axle 10 to keep the latter from rotation and endwise movement, as indicated in Figs. 4t and 5 where the peripheries of the screws are shown projeeting into the path of. the axle. which is shown in dotted lines. By the described construction of the forks, the wheel fork has at its upper end and also at its under end, both an end-thrust bearing and a lateral bearing on the spring-supporting fork,

thereby minimizing lateral strains tending to. produce a wabbling of the fork-Wheel when in use. H

Each foot of'the spring-supporting fork has a spring 15 secured to it at 16. In the form shown, the assembled forks are at the front end of the tricycle and the springs 15 are conveniently referred to as springs; but it is to be understood that the single wheel :W might form the rear wheel of the vehicle according to known practice in motor tricycle construction. The front springs 15 are parallel and extend toward the rear driving axle 17 provided with fixed front wheels W. Axle 17 supports at 17 a pair of parallel springs 18 in suspension, the front ends of the springs 18 extending toward the front springs and the rearward ends of springs 18 extending rearwardly beyond the driving axle.

To the rearward end of each front spring a side-bar 19 is suitably connected by conwhich form a foundation for the motor M rearward of the rear or driving axle. The

motor shaft extends transversely of the vehicle parallel with thedriven axle, and has an end m accessible atone side of the under frame for cranking the engine rearwardly of one of the rear wheels.

The motor shaft is'operatively connected with the clutch members C, C, and a changespeed gear mechanism in casing S and which the chain drive D to a differential gear mechanism in its casing D on the driving ax1e,a-ll of which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, without particular description.

The radiator R ]l1St back of the motor has provided for it a transverse upwardly ex- I tending air scoop the under endof which it pitched forward at a below the under frame to deflect air upward and rearwardly to the radiator, the scoop having sides a which confine the air from lateral escape.

The forward transverse bar 23 supports an upwardly-extending bracket 27 for holding a post 28 stationary, the upper end of the post being connected to the spring-supporting fork by a distance rod 29 which is pivoted at one end at 30 to that forkand at its other end at 31 to the upper end of the post. This construction steadies the assembled forks above the wheel W against lateral vibratory movements, while permitting the distance rod and its connections vertical movements relatively to the springs 15'.

Thelower end of post 28, in the present preferred form of this invention, has a tuular foot 32 slanting upwardly and rearwardly, and forming a bearing for the steering post. 33; the tubular 'foot having a bracket portion 34 which is fixed on the transverse bar 21 fat 35, and the lower end of the steering post carrying a fixed pinion 36 which is always in mesh with a transverse end'wise-movable rack-bar 37 mounted in a way formed between the front edge of the transverse bar 21 and wallsof a portion of the bracket portion 34. From each end of this rack-bar a cable 38 runs over an idler 39 carried, by the front end of a side-bar,

then over an idler 40 carried by a foot of the spring-supporting fork, and thence to an 'eye 40 on a rearward side of a wheel-fork foot. By rocking the wheel post, the wheel fork is turned for steering; but the steering may be done if preferred by a device attached to the upper end portion of the wheel fork in aknown manner. By the present construction, power 1s applied, for steering,

to points substantially in the plane of thefork-wheel axle, and the steering device 1s hidden by the fork-wheel hood H. This is a the preferred arrangement of the steering mechanism.

To adapt this vehicle for use by sportsmen and others on fishing, shooting or picnic trips, for example, 'or to provide it with a cover or canopy, each side bar near its front end is provided with avertical, telescopic post 41, and'at its rear end with a post 42 to the upper end of which a sup-' plementary folding post l3 is pivoted at 44.

The upper ends of the post are formed with eyes or otherwise shapedto receive tent or canopy members. In the specific construction, the front wheel hood may be provided with button studs for attachment of the front flap of a tent, and each supplementary folding post is connected by a brace link 46 pivoted to it at 4:7 with a sliding collar 48 on a post 42 to which the link is pivoted at 49, the collar being provided with a setscrew 50. Obviously, the auxiliary foldingposts may be turned into an angular upward position with their free ends above and rearwardly of the rear of the vehicle, and thus support a tent or canopy extending over and beyond the rear end of the vehicle, the side and end flaps of the tent being held by ropes and tent-pins. In this way the vehicle may form one end of a camping structure. The motor axle preferably drives a belt 51 to run a small dynamo 52, and the hood 53 for the radiator, motor andotlrer motive parts has a horizontal case portion 54 which can be used to support, electric cooking implements detachably {connected with the dynamo, which can be thrown into and out. of working connection with the motor by, a clutch, not shown. The dynamo is supported on a bracket 55 from a side bar under the hood. The dynamo may be used for any desired purposes and can be driven from the motor while the vehicle is stationary by disconnecting the clutches C, C.

To prevent dust and air-caried upwardly by the air scoop in front of the radiator from getting'inside of the hood 53, a .horiat 59. As it is preferred tomake the twowheeled driving axle the rear axle and to place the motor adjacent such rear axle, the

. air scoop and dust and air exit described are peculiarly desirable in the present preferred I thereof.

Various changes may be made in the form of this invention without departure therefrom. I am the first, so far as I know, to combine with a rockable wheel-fork a springsupporting and wheel-fork-bearing fork of any kind for sustaining a load-supporting spring or shock absorber at a point below the upper periphery of the wheel carried by the wheel fork, the preferential support being near or below the horizontal plane of the axis of the journal or shaft for such wheel, and this idea may be 'embodiedin various forms.

Advantages of this invention comprise low cost of construction coupled with durability, compactness, a high degree of shock absorption by the front and rear springs extending endwise toward each other from their supports andconnected by side bars; and in many cases the feasibility of using solid instead of pneumatic tires on the wheels. By placing the motor with its shaft parallel with the driving axle and by makthis axle the rear axle, the motive devlces are compactly arranged rearward of the main load. By steeringfrom the wheel fork feet, the steering devices offer no obstruction to the View or to the convenience of occupants. This three-wheeled vehicle with its low center of gravity, provided for by having the feet of the spring-supporting .fork as low as and preferably below the journal .of the wheel carried by the wheelfork and by the spring suspension of the rear part of the under frame from the rear driving axle structure, and the three-point support of the load on the three wheels, is

believed to meet the theoretical conditions that the three-wheeled carriage, if properly designed, rides as easy as a fourwheeler, or so nearly so that the difference cannot be told by a blindfolded observer riding in the two alternately; while the three-wheeler steers more easily, requires less ower to propel, starts and stops more quicl ly, is simpler, lighter, very much better in mud'and appreciably better everywhere else. Self-Propelled Vehicles, 7th ed.,page -69, Audel, New York. ihreewheeled vehicles are less easily upset than four-wheeled vehicles, and are less subject to disintegrating strains on under frame,-

springs and motor.

Motor-cars containing the features of this invention may be driven electrically as well as by other-kinds of motive power, and may be made as narrow or'as 'wide, as short or as long, as desired." The location of the feet of the spring-supporting fork near the horizontal plane,'or preferably below it, of the journal of the wheel carried by the wheel-fork. effects a simplicity and durability of construction that is desirable be cause it obviates-all bends required in an under frame when such under frame is pivoted to the top of a wheel fork. By the lat eral extension ofthe feet of the spring-supporting fork to substantially the full width of the under frame, the side portions of the under frame, that is the side bars with the Springsattached to them, are kept approximately parallel throughout their length: Of course the side bars may be connected to the feet of the spring-supporting fork by means of various styles either of springs or of other kinds of shock-absorbers,"but the present construction is one designed if possible to eliminate the necessity of pneumatic tires on all three Wheels of the vehicles, es-

pecially when the vehicle is to be used on fairly smooth roads.

Another advantage is that by bringing the feet of the spring-supporting fork below the journal of the wheel carried by the wheel fork, and so underslinging the under frame relatively to said wheel, the lateral movements of such wheel under some conditions of road use are very largely obviated, and a common practical objection to motor-tricycle construction heretofore obtaining is thereby minimized. This is an important feature, especially when, as above stated, the assembled forks involve the lateral and endthrust bearings, the lateral bearing of the vheel fork in the springsupporting fork and adjacent the axle of the fork wheel securing a lateral steadiness of the rotating wheel that is most desirable. g

What I claim is,

1. The combination of a wheel fork; a Wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel .fo'rk being journaledin the spring-supportingfork'and the lat-- 115 in the spring-supporting fork and the lat- 25 ter having laterally projecting opposite spring-supporting feet below the axis of the wheel journal, and the wheel fork having at each end both endthrust and lateral hearings, in the spring-supporting fork.

3. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-support ing fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite springsupporting feet; the, free end portions of the wheel fork having bearing feet mounted in bearing recesses in the heel portions of the spring-supporting fork.

4. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite spring-supporting feet; the free end portions of the wheel fork having bearing feet mounted in bearing recesses in the heel portions of the spring-supporting fork; and detachable means for keeping the bearing end portions of the assembled forks together. v

5. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the lat-- ter having laterally projecting opposite springrsupporting feet; the free end portions of the Wheel fork having bearing feet mounted in bearing recesses in the heel portions of the spring supporting fork; and the Wheel-fork-bearing feet being formed with alined holes for the wheel journal.

6. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite spring-supporting feet; the free end portions of the wheel fork having bearing feet mounted in bearing recesses in the heel portions of the spring-supporting fork; and the Wheel-fork-bearing feet being formed with alined holes for the wheel journal; the ends of the wheel journal being opposed to Walls of the bearing recesses in the heel portions of the spring-bearing fork.

7. The combination 'of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite spring-supporting feet; the free end portions of the wheel fork having bearing feet mounted in bearing recesses in the heel portions. of the spring-supporting fork; and the wheel-fork-bearing feet being formed with ali ned holes for the wheel journal; the ends of the wheel journal being opposed to walls of the bearing recesses in the heel portions of the spring-bearing fork; and means to keep thewheel journal from endwise movement.

wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaled 1n the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite spring-supporting feet; and means supported by the spring supporting fork for bracing its feet against deformation under load, the wheel fork having at each end both end-thrust and lateral bearings in the spring-supporting fork.

9. The combination with a spring-supporting fork having laterally projecting feet and a bearing at the inner side of its crown and opposite bearings inits heel portions, of a wheel-fork having a bearing at the outer surface of its crown and also having bearing feet; and means for keeping the works in assemblage; the wheel fork being rockable in the spring-supporting fork.

10. The combination of a pair of nested forks; a pin connection for the assembled fork crowns; end bearings for the fork crowns; end bearings for thefork legs; one fork carrying a wheel and the other fork having laterally projecting spring-supporting feet; and means to keep the forks in assemblage.

' 11. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supportin fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite spring.- supporting feet; a spring fixed to each foot and extending away from the same into connection with one end of a side bar; such side bar; a two-wheeled driven axle; a spring connecting each side bar to the driven axle;

and a steering mechanism operatively connected to the wheel fork.

12. The combination of a wheelfork; a

wheel journaled therein; a spring-support:

ing fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally'projecting opposite springsupporting feet; a spring fixed to each foot and'ex tending away from the same into connection with one end of a side bar; such side bar; a two-wheeled driven axle; a spring connecting each side bar to the driven axle; and a steering mechanism operatively connected to the wheel fork; the side bars having cross-connections; a motor mounted on the cross-connections with its shaft parallel with the driven axle, and motive connections between the driven axle and transverse motor shaft, said motive connections loo comprising a clutch, change-speed gear mechanism and differential gear mechanism.

14. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaledin the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite springsupporting feet; a spring fixed to each foot and extending away from the same into connection with one end of a side bar; such side bar; a two-wheeled driven axle; a spring connecting each side bar to the driven axle; and a steering mechanism operatively connected to the wheel fork; a transverse connection of the spring-connected side bars; an endwise movable rack; a steering device comprising a pinion working on the rack; and flexible connections between the rack ends and the free end portions of the wheel fork legs.

15. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite springsupportin feet; and a vertically yielding distance evice connected to the assembled forks and constructed for connection with a. vehicle frame.

16. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-supporting fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite springsupporting feet; and a vertically yieldable distance device.

17. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a springsupporting'fork; the wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and the latter having laterally projecting opposite sprrngsupporting feet; and a steering mechanism comprising a pair of opposite members severally connected with the wheel fork and extending toward a two-wheeled driven I axle; and means for operatively connecting the assembled forks. I

18. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled th rein; a spring bearing fork in which the wheel fork is rockably mounted, the spring bearing fork having opposits laterally extending feet below the upper periphery of the wheelpatwo-wheeled driven axle and means for dr1v1ng 1t; a pair of springs severally attached at their end portions to one of said feet and each spring extending from its supporting foot toward the driving axle; a pair of springs spaced laterally apart, secured to the dr1v1ng axle structure and extending therefrom toward the assembled forks; bar connections between each pair of side springs; transverse connections; a vehicle body mounted on the bars; a distance rod COIlIlGCtlDg the assembled forks and frame; and a steering mechanism operatively connected with the rockable wheel fork.

19,. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring bearing fork in which the wheel fork is rockably mounted, the spring bearing fork having opposite laterally extending feet below the upper periphery of the wheel; a two-wheeled driven axle and means for driving it; a pair of springs severally attached at their end portions to one of said feet and'each spring extending from its supporting foot toward the driving axle; a pair of springs spaced laterally apart, secured to the driving axle structure and extending therefrom toward the assembled forks; bar connections between each pair of side springs; transverse connections; a vehicle body mountedon the bars; a distance rod connecting the assembled forks and frame; and a steering mechnism operatively connected with the rockable wheel fork, such mechanism comprising steering members extending from the steering fork in the direction of the driven axle and also comprising means for operating said members to turn the steering fork.

20. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring bearing fork in which the wheel fork is rockably mounted, the spring bearing fork having opposite laterally extending feet'below the upper periphery of the wheel; a two-wheeled driven axle and means for driving it; a pair of springs severally attached their end portions to, one of said feet and each spring extending from its supporting foot toward the driving axle; a pair of springs spaced laterally apart, secured to the driving axle structure and extending therefrom toward the assembled forks; bar connections between each pair of side springs; transverse connectidns; a vehicle body mounted on the bars; a distance rod connecting the mechanism operatively connected with the rockable wheel fork, such mechanism comprising steering members extending from the steering fork in the direction of the driven axle and also comprising means for operating said members to turn the steering fork; a motor mounted adjacent the driving axle with its shaft parallel therewith; a clutch and change-speed gear mechanism for said shaft; a difierential gear mechanism for said driving axle and a driving connection between the axle and the difierential gear.

21. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring bearing fork in which the wheel fork is rockably mounted, the spring bearing fork having opposite laterally extending feet below the upper periphery of the wheel; a twowheeled driven axle and means for driving comprising a pair of steering members one attached to the wheel fork at one side of itsupright central axis and the other attached to the Wheel fork at the other side of such axis; a transverse member to which the steering members are attached; and a'steering post operatively connected with the transverse member.

22. The combination of a wheel fork; a wheel journaled therein; a spring-support ing fork in which the wheel fork is rockably mounted; .a steering mechanism connected with the wheel fork; the spring-supporting fork having opposite laterally-projecting feet below the axis of the wheel journal; a two-wheeled driven axle; a pair of springs spaced apart and suspended from the driven axle structure; a pair of springs, one attached to one and the other to the other of said feet; and side bar connections between said springs; the steering mechanism comprising a member secured to the wheel fork to rock it for steering and extending in the direction of the driven axle; means to control lateral vibration of the assembled f6rks;'and accessible to the driver a steering device operatively connected to said member.

23. The combination of a wheel fork r0- of the side-bars; and operative connect1 ns between said motive devices and the driv ng axle.

24. The combination of a pair of forks, one journaled lengthwise in the other; a

wheel journaled in one of the forks; a

shock-absorbing under-frame connecting the other fork with a two-wheeled driving axle; and such driving axle.

25. The combination of a pair of forks,

greases one journaled lengthwise in the other; .a

wheel journaled in one of the forks; a shockabsorbing under-frame connecting the other fork with a two-wheeled driving axle; and such driving axle; the'shock-ab:

-sorbing frame connection with the fork be wheel journaled in one of the forks; a

shock absorbing under frame connecting the other fork with a two-wheeled driving axle; and such driving axle; the shock-absorbing frame connections with the forkbemg near the horizontal plane of the axis of the fork wheel.

27. The combination in a three-wheeled vehicle of a single-wheel support; a springsupporter; a two-wheeled support; a fourcornered under-frame comprising at each corner portion a spring extendinginthe direction of the length of the underframe, one pair of springs being secured to the spring-supporter and the single-wheel support being rockable for steering relatively to the single wheel support; and the other pair of springs being connected with the two-wheeled support; the unr r frame being supported about me. plane passing through the three wheel centers; and the inward portion ofjhe single wheel rotating and being shiftabled'aterally intermediate side members of the under frame.

28. The combination of a two-wheeled driving axle; an under frame yieldingly connected with the driving axle; a wheel fork and wheel carried thereby; and a fork in which the wheel fork is rockably mounted for steering, the latter fork having a yielding connection with the under frame and such connection being below the jourml of the wheel carried by the wheel fofk.

29. The combination of a wheel fork; a

spring-supporting fork in which the wheel fork is rockable for steering, the spring supporting fork having opposite, laterallyprojecting feet below the journal for the Wheel carried by the wheel fork, and the assembled forks having end-thrust bearing surfaces; a spring attached at one end to each foot and projecting toward a twowheeled driving axle; said two-wheeled driving axle; a" pair of side bars each at-- tached at one end to an end of one of the projecting springs; a'spring connection between the driving axle and each side-bar; a vertically. yielding distance rod mechanism connecting the upper portion of the springsupporting fork with a rigid portion of the frame and constructed to restrain lateral tipping of the assembled forks; andmeans for rocking the wheel fork forsteering.

,30. The combination of a wheel fork, a

spring-supportin fork, and a wheel journaled in the whee fork, the Wheel fork being journaled in the spring-supporting fork and having therein an end-thrust and lateral 5 bearing near the Wheel journal.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDWARD S. BEACH. Witnesses:

G. BLAKE, WILLIAM J. DODGE. 

